StateLicensed

Real Estate Agent License Requirements in New York

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
77 hrs
Upfront cost
$80
Exam
New York State Real Estate Salesperson Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, 77 hours of DOS-approved qualifying education (see training).. Applicants must have a current NYS photo driver's license or non-driver ID card and be sponsored by a NYS-licensed Real Estate Broker. A fingerprint-based criminal background check was not found stated as a requirement on the Department of State's own Salesperson requirements or FAQ pages. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 77 hours of training at a state-approved program. 77 hours of DOS-approved qualifying education, expanded from 75 hours effective December 21, 2022 to add fair housing, implicit bias, and cultural competency content. A school-administered proctored examination is also required, in addition to the state qualifying exam. [1]

  3. 3

    New York State Real Estate Salesperson Examination

    Pass the New York State Real Estate Salesperson Examination (fee: $15). Multiple choice, 1.5 hours, based on the 77-hour pre-licensing curriculum Scheduled and taken online through the applicant's eAccessNY account; results are pass/fail only (no numeric score) and a passing result is valid for 2 years. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services with the $65 application fee. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for New York.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $65
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $65
New York State Real Estate Salesperson Examination [1] $15
Written exam fee [1] $15
Change of personal name and/or address [1] $10
Duplicate license/registration request [1] $10

The $65 initial application fee covers original license issuance; there is no separate license-issuance fee beyond it. Renewal is also $65 for the 2-year term.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 22.5 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License term is 2 years. Current continuing education requirement is 22.5 hours per renewal cycle, including at least 2 hours cultural competency, 2 hours implicit bias training, 2.5 hours ethical business practices, 1 hour recent legal matters, 3 hours fair housing/discrimination, and 1 hour law of agency.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.

The Department of State's own FAQ states: 'The Department of State does not currently have reciprocity with any other state.' This replaced prior mutual recognition agreements (with states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Quebec) after New York raised its education requirements, effective February 1, 2023. Applicants who completed qualifying education outside New York may instead submit a written request for a course waiver.

Cost calculator

  • $65
  • $15
Total$80

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of pre-licensing education does New York require?

77 hours of Department of State-approved qualifying education, plus a school-administered proctored exam in addition to the state exam.

Who administers the New York salesperson exam, and what does it cost?

The Department of State administers the exam itself (not a third-party vendor like PSI or Pearson VUE) for a $15 fee, scheduled online through eAccessNY.

Does New York have reciprocity with other states?

No. As of February 1, 2023, the Department of State does not have reciprocity with any state. Applicants who completed education elsewhere may request a written course waiver instead.

How often must a New York salesperson license be renewed?

Every 2 years, requiring 22.5 hours of continuing education covering fair housing, cultural competency, implicit bias, ethics, agency, and recent legal matters.

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed or renew in New York?

Yes. A salesperson must be sponsored by a NYS-licensed Real Estate Broker both to become licensed and to renew.

Sources

  1. [1] dos.ny.gov/real-estate-agent — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dos.ny.gov/real-estate-salesperson-frequently-asked-questions — accessed 2026-07-12